Mailing tube



Jan. 26, 1937. c. H. QUINLAN 2,068,755

MAILING TUBE Original Fild Oct. 18, 1955 Attorh e'q Witt/783585 QM;

Patented Jan. 26, 1937 UNITED STATES PATT ()FFICE Refiled for abandoned application Serial No. 694,133, October 18, 1933. This application February 26, 1936, Serial No. 65,895

1 Claim.

This application is a substitute for applicants abandoned application #694,133 filed October 18, 1933.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a mailing-tube designed to provide a device which is adapted as a receptacle for carrying calendars, blue-prints, manuscripts, etc.; which tube will be comparatively cheap in first cost, light in weight but strong and durable and well adapted for performing the functions for which it is intended. This invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts whereby separate sections of the tube are joined together by an inner tube of adequate dimensions for holding each section firmly together,-a locking device used to hold each section firmly connected with the immediate accompanying section and the adjustment of said locking device to form an adequate closure for the ends of the tubes when desired, all of which will be more explicitly brought out in the accompanying specifications and drawing of said invention and set forth in the accompanying claim.

In the drawing herewith, I have illustrated one complete example of the physical embodiment of my invention constructed according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mailing-tube constructed according to my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view of a single section of a mailingtube detached with the inner connecting tube inserted therein.

Figure 3 is an illustration of the locking device.

Fig. 3a is an illustration of the separate parts of the locking device.

Fig. 4 is a sealing band which may be used on said tube to connect the parts thereof and also to be used as an address label when so desired.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in Fig. 1, I employ a suitable number of tube sections as l and 2. These sections may be duplicates, or of different lengths, and it will be understood that by the use of said sections a tube can be built up of any desired length, each section being firmly joined and united by the insertion of a. connecting tube and a locking device as hereinafter described for holding the same together. A tube of this construction can be used with any desired closure on the end, as for example, a paper tucked end, and in this case the article to be carried or sent will be inserted in the center of said tube without interfering in the least with the enclosures of the tube.

When it is desired to use the tube as a container for first class mail a disc of the same material as the tube can be used in conjunction with the tongue and staple-like fastener hereinafter described or there can be used a regular cup-like closure the same being sealed firmly on the tube. With this preparation the article simply has to be inserted in the tube and a suitable sealing band placed across the section to seal the same.

Fig. 2 shows one section of the tube la with the connecting intersecting tube 5a.

The locking device shown in Fig. 3a and designated by 3 and t consists of a tongue of suitable length-tongue-3, with staples (4) to hold or receive the respective ends of the tongue which are driven through the periphery of the tube L at a suitable distance from the end thereof so as to engage the tongue-like band when the same is inserted underneath said staples; it can be bent upward and back against itself thus providing a strong and close fitting device for locking the different ends of the section tubes together or said device can be used in a similiar manner to provide a closure over the ends of the tubes.

From the above description taken in connection with my drawing, it will be understood that I have provided a device which fulfills the conditions set forth as the purpose of my invention.

The sectional feature of the mailing-tube adapts it to almost indefinite length so it is capable of carrying articles of various sizes and lengths. The device is so constructed that it is very easily opened for inspection by the mailing department, when so desired.

Having thus fully described my invention, What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: Mailing-tube comprising a plurality of tubular sections arranged with their ends in abutting relation having a joint, an inner connecting tube overlapping the ends at said joint and a locking device on the outside of the tubular sections at said joint; said locking device consisting of a tongue overlapping the ends of the tubular sections, and fastening means on said tongue, securing the tongue on opposite sides of said joint. CHARLES H. QUINLAN. 

